IT Platform Administrator (ARL)

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

On-site benefits

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking an IT Platform Administrator for the Enterprise IT group at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) in State College, PA. You will administer identity and access management and oversee Windows and Red Hat Linux servers, with a focus on security, compliance, and reliability.

Responsibilities include incident response, system monitoring, and mentoring junior staff, in a high-security research computing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience or equivalent
• Willingness to obtain DoD 8140/8570 cert within one year
• Experience administering Windows and Red Hat Linux servers
• Knowledge of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, and secure Windows servers
• Experience leading technical projects in high-security environments
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills

Responsibilities

• Administer identity and access management, authentication, and RBAC controls
• Install, configure, secure, and upgrade physical and virtual servers and enterprise services
• Monitor security events, vulnerabilities, and compliance; coordinate incident response
• Ensure system availability, performance, and reliability; troubleshoot complex issues
• Maintain system architecture diagrams, baselines, and DR/security documentation
• Provide advanced technical support and mentor staff; contribute to modernization efforts
• Collaborate with IT peers on infrastructure design for goals

Skills

Identity & access management

Windows Server Administration

Red Hat Linux

Active Directory

Group Policy

DNS

Troubleshooting complex systems

Education

Bachelor's Degree (3+ years)

Tools

SCCM

Ansible

PowerShell

Redhat IDM

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a highly motivated IT Platform Administrator to join Enterprise IT at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This role will provide systems administration, computing support, and specialized support services for the enablement of key research and administrative functions by ensuring the security, compliance, functionality, and reliability of research and administrative systems through hands on configuration and support. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

• Administer identity and access management, authentication services, privileged account controls, certificate management, and role-based access to ensure appropriate protection of research data and information systems
• Install, configure, administer, secure, maintain, and upgrade physical and virtual servers, operating systems, enterprise services, storage platforms, and specialized research computing environments supporting scientific, engineering, and business operations
• Monitor security events, vulnerabilities, system alerts, and compliance status; investigate anomalies; coordinate incident response activities; and implement corrective and preventative actions
• Monitor system availability, performance, capacity, and reliability; proactively identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex system, hardware, software, and infrastructure issues to minimize operational impact
• Develop and maintain system architecture diagrams, configuration baselines, operating procedures, disaster recovery documentation, security documentation, and other technical records required for operational support, audits, and system accreditation
• Provide advanced technical support for complex end-user and application issues; mentor less experienced technical staff; and contribute technical expertise to infrastructure modernization and research initiatives
• Collaborate with IT colleagues on the design of technical infrastructures targeting specific goals

Required skills/experience areas include:

• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required
• Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain a DoD 8140/8570 certification or higher (Security+, CASP+, CySA+), within one year of start date
• Demonstrated experience in the enterprise level administration of Windows and Red Hat Linux Servers
• Knowledge and experience with Infrastructure Core Services: Active Directory management; Group Policy; Windows Server Administration; NTFS Permissions; DNS; and maintenance of secure Windows servers
• Experience operating in, and leading, technical projects in a high-security research computing environment
• Success in an environment where various forms of communication and organizational skills are crucial to be effective
• Demonstrated ability to work through difficult problems, using proper steps to identify, define, and formulate ideas that produce results
• Systems integration in a heterogeneous network environment

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

• Microsoft Entra Administration Identity and Access Management and PKI Infrastructure
• Enterprise level administration of both Windows and Linux systems
• A strong understanding of Microsoft Exchange in a hybrid environment
• PowerShell scripting, system maintenance and automation of tasks
• Developing and maintaining secure Windows and Linux system baseline configurations
• Enterprise storage resources (ECS, Unity, PowerScale, Isilon)
• Enterprise systems management software (SCCM, Ansible, Redhat IDM)

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA. Hybrid work opportunities may be an option after acclimating to the role. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $80,100.00 - $132,204.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure.

• comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.